The Shrinking Y Chromosome: Could It Affect The Birth of Boys?

New research shows the Y chromosome, vital for male sex determination, is shrinking and might eventually disappear. This raises questions about the future of male births and human evolution

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The Y chromosome has been getting smaller over millions of years. This could potentially lead to a future where only female babies are born, altering the future of human reproduction

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A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that spiny rats have developed new sex-determining genes, suggesting how humans might adapt if the Y chromosome continues to shrink

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Genetics expert Professor Jenny Graves notes that the Y chromosome was once similar to ordinary chromosomes. Over 166 million years, it lost between 900 and 55 active genes, possibly disappearing in about 11 million years

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As the Y chromosome shrinks, there’s a growing chance of evolving new sex-determining genes. This evolution could lead to diverse sex-determining systems, potentially resulting in separate human species

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The future of human evolution may hinge on how the Y chromosome’s shrinking impacts reproduction and genetics. Stay tuned as science continues to uncover the effects of these genetic shifts

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If the Y chromosome disappears, it could fundamentally change how humans reproduce and evolve. The scientific community is closely monitoring these developments to anticipate future impacts

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